Tag: Margaret Lloyd George

The great significance of the meeting held tonight in the Queen’s Hall by the National Council of Women and the National Union of Societies for Equal Citizenship was this, that for the first time leading men of all the political parties declared in unison their belief that more women were needed in parliament. From the archive, 7 February 1918: Some (but not all) women get vote Read more The Premier was unable to keep his conditional promise to be present, but Mrs Lloyd George read a letter from him. Your meeting is called specially to advocate the need for women in parliament. “I hope and believe that Lady Astor is the first of a noble band of women representing every grade and class who will endow the House with their presence and their service to the State with the great qualities of sympathy and enthusiasm.” Mr Arthur Henderson wrote: “There are many questions upon which, in these difficult days, the House of Commons needs the help and advice of women. It is essential that in the making of legislation the influence of women should make itself felt. I speak for all the members of the Parliamentary Labour party in saying that we should welcome the return of women Labour members to the House, and regard them not as competitors but as comrades in the work we have in hand.” Sir Hamar Greenwood, who came as substitute for Mr Lloyd George, said that the issue lay not in London, but among the constituencies. It was the constituencies that must nominate, and there that the majorities must be gained. From the archive, 2 December 1919: First Woman Member Read more Lady Astor, MP, had a great reception, the audience rising to its feet and cheering her. She made a sparkling speech. It was a very formidable list – and in view of the fact that she is the only woman MP, a pathetic one - dealing with all the questions of child welfare, women’s welfare, marriage reforms, health, housing and hospitals, penal reform, social reforms, food prices, and labour conditions for women.